Hemidactylus turcicus
The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a small, nocturnal lizard native to the Mediterranean region, now widespread globally due to human introduction. It is characterized by its large, lidless eyes, sticky toe pads, and distinctive purple or tan skin with dark spots. This insectivorous species thrives in human-modified environments and is often found in cracks of buildings.
Key Facts
- ›Native to the Mediterranean region, now found on multiple continents.
- ›Completely nocturnal, with peak activity around 2:00 AM.
- ›Insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates.
- ›Possesses sticky toe pads for climbing and large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils.
- ›Can reach sexual maturity within four months to a year.
- ›Resistant to pesticides and has few predators in introduced ranges.
Turkish Gecko, Moon Lizard, Med Gecko
Mediterranean Region, East Africa, South America, Caribbean, Southern United States, Southeastern United States, Mexico
Urban Areas, Suburban Areas, Coastal Regions, Shrublands, Mountain Cliffs, Caves, Human Habitation
- Small Lizard, Generally Measuring 10–13 cm In Length.
- Sticky Toe Pads.
- Vertical Pupils and Large Eyes That Lack Eyelids.
- Rounded Snout, Approximately As Long As the Distance Between the Eye and Ear Opening.
- Forehead Slightly Concave.
- Ear Opening Is Oval, Oblique, and Nearly Half the Diameter of the Eye.
- Moderate Body and Limb Sizes.
- Digits Are Variable In Length.
- Head Has Large Granules Anteriorly and Minute Granules Intermixed With Round Tubercles Posteriorly.
- Upper Surface of Body Covered With Minute Granules Intermixed With Large Tubercles.
- Abdominal Scales Are Small, Smooth, Roundish-Hexagonal, and Imbricate.
- Males Have A Short Angular Series of Four To 10 Preanal Pores.
- Tail Is Cylindrical, Slightly Depressed, Tapering, and Covered Above With Minute Scales and A Transverse Series of Large, Keeled Tubercles.
- Tail Is Covered Beneath With A Series of Large, Transversely Dilated Plates.
- Coloration Is Light Brown Or Grayish Above With Darker Spots.
- Many Tubercles and Lower Surfaces Are White.
- May Be Completely Translucent Except For Spotting.
- Purple Or Tan-Colored Skin With Black Spots.
- Often Have Stripes On the Tail.
- Belly Or Undersides Are Somewhat Translucent.
Crickets, Grasshoppers, Cockroaches, Spiders, Beetles, Moths, Butterflies, Ants, Isopods, Snails
- Totally Nocturnal, With Highest Activity Around 2:00 Am.
- Emit A Distinctive, High-Pitched Call Somewhat Like A Squeak Or Chirp.
- Juveniles Avoid Most Interaction With Adult Geckos Due To Aggressive Behavior.
- Voracious Predators Attracted To Outdoor Lights For Prey.
- Attracted By the Call of Male Decorated Crickets.
- Seek Darkness When Fleeing.
- May Be Seen Alone Or In Groups Up To Five Or More.
Few Predators In Introduced Ranges
About Hemidactylus turcicus
Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)
The Mediterranean house gecko, scientifically known as Hemidactylus turcicus, is a small, nocturnal lizard that has become remarkably successful in colonizing new territories far beyond its native Mediterranean origins. It is often called the Turkish gecko or moon lizard, the latter due to its habit of becoming active in the evening.
Description and Characteristics
This gecko is characterized by its relatively small size, typically measuring between 10 and 13 cm (4 to 5 inches) in total length, though it rarely exceeds 15 cm. It possesses distinctive large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, and specialized sticky toe pads that enable it to climb on various surfaces with ease. Its skin is usually purple or tan, adorned with dark spots, and frequently features stripes along the tail. The underside is often somewhat translucent. Males have a series of preanal pores, numbering between four and ten.
Habitat and Distribution
Hemidactylus turcicus thrives in a wide array of habitats, particularly those in proximity to human settlements. It is commonly found in urban and suburban environments, including university campuses, cemeteries, coastal regions, and shrublands. They frequently seek shelter in cracks and crevices of buildings, such as old brick structures, attics, or even trash piles. Its remarkable adaptability and resistance to pesticides have contributed to its expanding range across the globe, including significant populations in parts of East Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Southern and Southeastern United States.
Behavior and Diet
As a strictly nocturnal species, the Mediterranean house gecko exhibits its peak activity around 2:00 AM. They are known to emit a distinctive, high-pitched call, possibly used for territorial communication. They are voracious insectivores, preying on a variety of invertebrates like crickets, moths, spiders, and cockroaches. Their hunting is often facilitated by their attraction to outdoor lights, which draw in insect prey.
Reproduction
Mediterranean house geckos reach sexual maturity relatively quickly, within four months to a year. The breeding season typically runs from April to August, during which females lay clutch sizes averaging two eggs. A notable reproductive trait is the female's ability to store sperm for up to five months, a phenomenon known as delayed fertilization. Neither parent provides any form of parental care after egg-laying.
Conservation and Human Interaction
Despite its widespread introduction, Hemidactylus turcicus is not considered threatened or endangered. In some Eastern Mediterranean countries, such as Greece and Turkey, harming this gecko is considered taboo due to its harmless nature, and it is often kept as a house pet. Its resilience and ability to integrate with human environments have made it one of the most successful gecko species worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mediterranean house gecko commonly called?
The Mediterranean house gecko is also commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko, reflecting its Latin name. It is also known as the moon lizard due to its tendency to emerge and be active in the evening.
What does the Mediterranean house gecko eat?
This gecko is insectivorous, with its primary prey including a variety of invertebrates such as crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, spiders, beetles, moths, butterflies, ants, isopods, and snails. They are visual hunters and are more likely to choose living prey.
Where does the Mediterranean house gecko live?
Originally from the Mediterranean region, Hemidactylus turcicus has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly found in urban and suburban areas, including university campuses, cemeteries, and coastal regions, often taking shelter in cracks of buildings.
Is the Mediterranean house gecko venomous?
There is no information suggesting that the Mediterranean house gecko is venomous. They are generally considered benign and are sometimes kept as house pets in certain regions.
What are the physical characteristics of the Mediterranean house gecko?
The Mediterranean house gecko is a small lizard, typically measuring 10–13 cm in length. It has large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, sticky toe pads, and skin that is purple or tan with dark spots, often with stripes on its tail. Its underside is somewhat translucent.
When do Mediterranean house geckos reproduce?
The breeding season for Mediterranean house geckos typically occurs from April to August. Females lay eggs in clutches of two on average, usually from mid-May to August. Females can store sperm for up to five months.
What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean house gecko?
The Mediterranean house gecko holds no threatened or endangered status. Its range is expanding in many parts of the world, and it is considered one of the most successful gecko species globally.
Related Lizards
Mediterranean gecko
The Mediterranean house gecko, also known as the Turkish gecko or moon lizard, is a small reptile native to the Mediterranean region that has successfully spread across the globe. It is characterized by its large, lidless eyes, sticky toe pads, and distinctive purple or tan skin with black spots. Primarily nocturnal and insectivorous, it thrives in human-modified environments, often taking shelter in buildings.
Mediterranean house gecko
The Mediterranean house gecko, also known as the Turkish gecko or moon lizard, is a small, nocturnal lizard native to the Mediterranean region. It is characterized by its sticky toe pads, large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, and distinctive patterned skin. Having spread globally, it often thrives in human-modified environments due to its resistance to pesticides and lack of predators.
Lepidodactylus lugubris
Lepidodactylus lugubris, commonly known as the mourning gecko or common smooth-scaled gecko, is a widespread lizard species found in coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans. These geckos are characterized by their ability to change color, typically appearing tan with dark spots or stripes, and are notable for being an all-female species that reproduces via parthenogenesis. They are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, fruits, and other small food items.